What's Next?
When you are about to have an Ah-Hah moment, you may want to have someone with you.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist. - Matthew 17:1-13
Chances are Jesus knew he was going to a meeting with Moses and Elijah, so he invited along the three people he trusted most to understand what was happening, Peter, John and James.
Some may look at Peter as His protégé, the one who was being groomed to take over the mission when Jesus left. And John and James might have been viewed as body guards, support for the new leader-to-be.
For me, that simple breakdown makes sense, and it is a reminder that we all need to find a way to prepare for the mission in our lives to continue when we can no longer do it.
Sounds a bit morbid, I know, but why not plan ahead, even if we won't be there?
When we remove ourselves from the day-to-day, take a vacation, get sick, whatever, we have an opportunity to see what the world would be like without us.
It may actually be able to go on, as depressing as that sounds.
So, why not embrace that fact and start thinking about what comes next, not so much for us, but for those we leave behind?
Jesus wanted the three to see that he would be OK. He has friends in high places who will make arrangements for him. So, now they need to think about themselves, and what they will need to do without him.
Why wait?
More to come...